Cannons at the Gettysburg Battlefield

What are the Must-See Sights of the Gettysburg Battlefield?

The Gettysburg Battlefield is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Pennsylvania. For three days in 1863, Union and Confederate forces met here on the hills, fields, and wooded landscape of central Pennsylvania in what would become the most famous battle of the American Civil War.

The 6,000-acre battlefield has since been preserved as a tribute to those who fought that day and boasts more than 1,300 monuments, markers, and memorials to tell their story. The modern battlefield and much of the nearby town still look very much like they did in 1863. Today the area remains a living monument to the struggle and strife of our American Civil War.

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Where Did the Iron Brigade Fight at Gettysburg?

Though destined for fame as one of the most respected and feared forces in the Army of the Potomac, the Iron Brigade came from humble roots. The all-Western infantry brigade was primarily comprised of five colorfully named regiments: the Calico (6th Wisconsin), the Huckleberries (7th Wisconsin), the Babies (19th Indiana), the Feather-beds (24th Michigan), and the Ragged Asstetical (2nd Wisconsin), which won its not-so-fierce nom de guerre, said the veteran Aubrey Cullen, “from the fact that the government contractors had run short of good material when they made the pantaloons … allowing their flag of truce always to be kept in their rear.”
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What are Iverson’s Pits?

On the Gettysburg battlefield, in the shadow of the Oak Ridge Observation Tower just off Doubleday Avenue and not far from the junction between Confederate Avenue and the Mummasberg road, there is an open field of nondescript farmland bordered on one side by a low stone wall. This property, part of the John Forney farm on the eve of the famous battle, would sadly be the site of one of the most brutal and ignominious episodes of the Civil War.
This otherwise nondescript patch of grass on Oak Ridge is where the unsuspecting men of a hapless North Carolina Brigade would meet a horrific fate, and the events of that tragic day would earn that lonely patch of ground a share of infamy that echoes through the years to the present day.

Modern-day visitors to the Gettysburg Battlefield can experience the site firsthand and walk the hallowed field widely famed as a supernatural hot spot.

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Jennie Wade: A Tragic Civil War Love Story

Romeo and Juliet may be the most notable star-crossed lovers, but Pennsylvania’s Jack Skelly and Jennie Wade have a love story that may be just as tragic.

Jennie Wade was the only civilian casualty during the Battle of Gettysburg. She died on July 3, 1863, during the Battle of Gettysburg, with a picture of her love, Corporal Johnston “Jack” Hastings Skelly, nestled in her pocket.

He would never learn of her death, as he died of wounds sustained at the Second Battle of Winchester in Virginia on July 12, 1863. Read further to learn more about this tragic Civil War love story. Continue reading

Is Gettysburg Open In The Winter?

At Gettysburg Battlefield Tours, you’ll find tour guides who love sharing historical facts about the most important engagement of the American Civil War.

When winter arrives, that doesn’t stop.

Is Gettysburg open in the winter? You bet! The town known for one of America’s bloodiest battles is now perhaps one of the most peaceful places to visit in winter. Not only is the town of Gettysburg open to visitors hoping to dine and shop in this quaint historic town, but our guided tours of the battlefields and Winter Combo Deals make Gettysburg a wintertime destination.

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Winter Combo Tours Are Best-Kept Gettysburg Secret This Winter

Ghostly Images Thrifty visitors, take note! The existence of our winter combo tours seems to be one of the (unintentionally) best kept secrets in Gettysburg. These ghostly adventures are offered on Saturday nights during the winter season (weather permitting), and beware: when space fills up – they’re gone!

The exciting news, if you’re reading this in early January, is that the season has only just begun. Our special combo tours are offered on Saturdays starting January 15 at 7:00 PM, and they run all the way through March 12 (weather permitting) with the exception of February 12th when the tour time will be 6 PM.  Please note, Ghostly Images is only open Saturdays from 3:00 PM until the time of the tour.  We will also have a 7 PM Tour on Friday, February 11th.

Why do we call them combo tours?

As you probably can guess, each combo tour includes a private tour of the Jennie Wade House AND the Haunted Orphanage. You may have seen these on popular network shows such as: Continue reading

Christmas at the Jennie Wade House

Visit the Jennie Wade House to see how they decorated for the holidays in 1863. Music, decorations,  and unique gifts.  Open Friday, December 3rd & 10th; Saturday, December 4th, 11th & 18th; and Sunday, December 5th, 12th & 19th and daily December 26th-31st.

Where was the Gettysburg Address Given? Join History Fans in Commemoration

In November 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous speech to honor the men who had fought and died in the Battle of Gettysburg to preserve the Union.

His Gettysburg Address was given on Cemetery Hill in the National Soldier Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It was a short, yet powerful speech invoking the message of equality for all.

Yet the very spot where he stood may surprise those who tour Gettysburg Battlefields. Read on to learn some fascinating facts about that special day, and for information about a special event to commemorate it: Dedication Day 2021. Continue reading

How Long Did The Battle Of Gettysburg Last?

If you’ve been studying the history behind the Gettysburg Battlefield, possibly in preparation for an upcoming visit, one of the questions you may be wondering is, “How long did the Battle of Gettysburg Last?” The short answer is:

The Battle of Gettysburg lasted a total of three days, from July 1-3, 1863.

Keep reading if you’re interested in learning more about the history surrounding the battle itself. Continue reading

Best Ways To Tour Gettysburg Battlefield (Something For Everyone!)

Planning a trip to Gettysburg soon? The battlefield is one of the most popular attractions and there are a surprising number of ways to navigate through it. In this post, we’ve highlighted some of the best ways to tour Gettysburg Battlefield whether you plan to go by yourself, as a family, or with a group of friends. But before we get too far, we’d like to answer a question we get a lot, which is “What is THE best way to tour Gettysburg Battlefield?”

While the preferred method of taking the tour varies from person to person, the best way for you to tour the battlefield is with some sort of guidance, whether from an in-person tour guide or from a pre-recorded self-guided audio tour.

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